After 'rollercoaster' career, Texas TE Andrew Beck ready to go out on high note

Texas tight end Andrew Beck (47) runs into the end zone with a touchdown against Oklahoma State in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) less

Texas tight end Andrew Beck (47) runs into the end zone with a touchdown against Oklahoma State in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue ... more

Photo: Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

Photo: Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

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Texas tight end Andrew Beck (47) runs into the end zone with a touchdown against Oklahoma State in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) less

Texas tight end Andrew Beck (47) runs into the end zone with a touchdown against Oklahoma State in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue ... more

Photo: Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

After 'rollercoaster' career, Texas TE Andrew Beck ready to go out on high note

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NEW ORLEANS – If, say, Elon Musk debuted a new time machine – never rule anything out with that billionaire mad scientist– Andrew Beck knows exactly what he would say to his younger counterpart.

"If I could go back and tell high school Andrew something," the fifth-year Texas tight end said, "it would be, 'Good luck, man. You're going to be on a rollercoaster for the next four, five years. But it'll all be worth it.'"

A three-star tight end out of Tampa Plant (Fla.), Beck signed with Texas when Mack Brown was still in charge. He soldiered on through the entire Charlie Strong era. He lost the entirety of what should have been his senior season to a fractured foot that required surgery.

"Right after it happened, that stunk," Beck said. "Got with our trainers and got with the doctors and talked to everybody about it. I was really debating whether I wanted to come back; this is the third time I've broken this foot. Is this for me? Is this not for me?"

Grueling as the rehab would be, frightened as he might have been of further damaging his foot, Beck opted to return as a fifth-year senior. He was selected as a team captain for the second straight season and has grown into the voice of the Longhorns.

Regarded as one of the Big 12's best blocking tight ends, Beck also set career bests this season with 27 receptions for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He grew into one of quarterback Sam Ehlinger's main targets during critical third-down situations.

All the work and physical therapy and training paid off when he was selected to the All-Big 12 first team – as a fullback, a designation that draws chuckles from Beck whenever he's asked about it.

Still, he's proud of the accomplishment, though Beck's play wasn't what turned him into a viral Twitter sensation.

During a visit to Oschner Children's Hospital on Thursday, the Sugar Bowl account tweeted a video of Beck seamlessly communicating via sign language with a hearing-impaired family. As of Sunday afternoon, the video had been retweeted over 15,000 times and received over 61,000 likes.

During a #SugarBowl hospital visit, @TexasLonghorns TE Andrew Beck realized that a patient and his family were all hearing impaired. He knew just what to say (and sign)...

Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt shared the clip, writing "this is awesome" to his 5.4 million followers.

"It is incredible to have the opportunity to promote and impact people in the deaf community," Beck said. "It raises awareness to people outside of the deaf community who are not aware of the things they go through."

Beck never expected to grow into a social media sensation and an all-conference fullback in his final college season. Then again, that's part of what has made his journey so memorable.

With 15th-ranked Texas (9-4) steeling for a Sugar Bowl battle with fifth-ranked Georgia (11-2), Beck has one more chance to add to his Longhorn legacy.

"We got to go home for Christmas," Beck said. "I was talking to my parents and we were just flashing back through it all. I've had so much fun every year that I've been here. To cap it off coming to this bowl game is the icing on the cake.

"We have the potential for a 10-win season, win a New Year's Six bowl. This is what we've been working for and we put ourselves in a good position to accomplish those goals."